Columbus Blue Jackets' points streak under Rick Bowness grows: Takeaways

After downing Seattle Kraken to retain a playoff spot, Columbus Blue Jackets keep playing with swagger for coach Rick Bowness.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 10:04am

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In a little more than two months, the Blue Jackets have gone from an utterly frustrated bunch to one of the NHL's most confident teams with the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs in sight. Putting it in hockey parlance, they're an absolute wagon after climbing from last in the Eastern Conference to third in the Metropolitan Division, and nobody's beaming more than Rick Bowness, the head coach who left the ease of retirement Jan. 12 to rejoin the NHL's coaching ranks.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' turnaround under Bowness has been remarkable, as they've gone from a struggling team to a playoff contender in a short period of time. This story highlights the impact a new coach can have on a team's performance and mindset, as well as the importance of structure and confidence in the NHL.

The details

The Blue Jackets have won four straight games and earned points in 12 straight, thanks in large part to the leadership of Bowness and the contributions of players like Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, Sean Monahan, and Zach Werenski. Sillinger has thrived on the wing, while the additions of Conor Garland and the continued development of Johnson and Monahan have given the team a new level of offensive firepower. Werenski, the team's leading scorer, has also been a driving force, tying a franchise record for most multi-point games in a season.

  • The Blue Jackets hired Rick Bowness as head coach on January 12, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets defeated the Seattle Kraken 5-2 on March 21, 2026.
  • The Blue Jackets have a big road matchup against the New York Islanders on March 22, 2026.

The players

Rick Bowness

The head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets who came out of retirement to take over the team in January 2026.

Cole Sillinger

A 22-year-old forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who has thrived on the wing under Bowness' leadership.

Kent Johnson

A young forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who has improved under Bowness' instruction and has formed a dynamic duo with Conor Garland.

Sean Monahan

A forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets who has also improved under Bowness' coaching and has benefited from the addition of Conor Garland.

Zach Werenski

The leading scorer for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who has tied a franchise record for most multi-point games in a season.

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What they’re saying

“They make it easier coming out of retirement. I love coming out of retirement for this. This is awesome. We're all having fun, right?”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach

“I mean, ever since we hired 'Bones,' what are we, like 18-2-4 or something like that? I mean, it's crazy how the change of energy and a new voice coming in here (helped). 'Bones' is such a good leader, really good at teaching principles and I think that just has cleared it up for our group.”

— Cole Sillinger, Forward

What’s next

The Blue Jackets have a big road matchup against the New York Islanders on March 22, 2026, which will be an important test as they continue their push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' remarkable turnaround under Rick Bowness highlights the impact a new coach can have on a team's performance and mindset. The team's newfound structure, confidence, and offensive firepower have made them a formidable opponent in the NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs race.